Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter: 160. Under Preparation

I opened my mouth to the opponent in front of me.

About the events that took place during the mobilization training.

The joy I gained there.

Unexpected new connections.

New information I acquired.

With emotions that came straight from my heart,

I conveyed it to the adversary standing across from me.

“…So that happened, huh?”

After finishing all my words, I lifted a cup filled with a black liquid that sloshed around, bringing it to my lips and pouring the liquid in.

The bitter taste dominated my mouth, followed by a hint of sweetness that made it somewhat enjoyable.

Is this coffee with brandy mixed in?

Under usual circumstances, I wouldn’t drink something like this, but feeling good, I thought it wasn’t bad as I savored the taste.

How long has it been since I did something so uncharacteristic?

“…Is that all?”

Finally, my opponent spoke up.

Tense and unable to lean back comfortably, half-frozen in posture.

I had to answer that question, but my hand was still gripping the glass with the remaining drink, pressed to my lips.

They might have shown dissatisfaction with my actions, but perhaps because they were used to me, they quietly waited for me to finish.

Maybe it was not just familiarity, but the simple knowledge that moving at this moment would yield no good results.

Glug.

After the last liquid from the glass flowed down my throat, I finally set the cup down onto the table.

“Basically, yes… but you came off quite meek. Did my submissive stance provoke the other party?”

“What else have you done?

You want money, right? Are you finally going to extort it? Or are you still trying to remind me of how I didn’t catch Enklu? Or is it about Nanjido? Let’s be honest here. There’s no clause in the contract stating that we can’t deploy Queph, right? If you needed such information honestly, you should have anticipated that I would take action. There was no condition in the contract where we wouldn’t benefit from that information, and honestly, I really appreciate your support, but if you’re going to be violent with my actions once again or claim that your choice was wrong now…”

Chatter, chatter, chatter.

An endless stream of justifications poured out from the octopus before me.

Was it excitement? Myriads of colors were expressed like a kaleidoscope, and it moved like a feather duster.

“Wasn’t it you, Haram Lee, who introduced Sister Shirin to me? Thanks to you, do you know what happened? I’m not getting enough alcohol. The alcohol. Does this make sense? I’m not even human, so do you think I’d be drunk and act violently or make mistakes? If it were my Governor, maybe.”

If I had to admit, Shirin is not my blood relative.

As I continued my thoughts, I shot a pearl at the opponent’s head with my fingers.

“…I have nothing to give… Kwahk.”

The deflated head of the octopus emitted a strange sound before finally closing its mouth.

“Damn it. You’re rambling on about your entire life history.”

Since I’m the one who came asking for a favor, I wanted to endure a little longer, but there’s a limit to everything, isn’t there?

Having calmed the octopus down, I sat down again in a way that wasn’t typical of me.

Usually, I’d threaten, press, or interrogate here. But somehow, this time, I wasn’t in a position to ask. I had to behave myself.

How long has it been since the octopus drenched the table with slime, waiting for my mental state to stabilize?

Gulp. Gulp. Ugh. What are you thinking? With the humidity low recently, what strange thoughts are swirling in your head?

If I’m short on moisture, I can just drink alcohol.

Oh, did I mention earlier that I was restricted?

What does it matter? It’s not my issue.

Al’sel deserves to suffer a bit.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I stared at the pitiful octopus with a warm yet spiteful gaze, wishing it to suffer for the rest of its life.

“What’s with that look? It doesn’t suit you, so stop.”

‘Is this it? Is today the day I die?’

Yeah, yeah. Poor octopus, I’ll let you off the hook today.

“Have you calmed down?”

“Hah. You aren’t listening to a word I’m saying. Yes, I have calmed down. Now I’ll ask again, but what on earth could be such a big reason for you to seek me out?”

So, where should I start?

I pondered for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts.

“Do you know how to safely get into the hole?”

I gave up on circling around and asked directly.

I was at the limit of my patience; I could no longer waste time.

“Huh? Get into the hole? Is your hidden death wish finally bursting out? If that’s the case, I can assist you…”

With a flick of the tongue, I grabbed my hammer and tossed it over my shoulder.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“Then is this not a joke? You must know because you’ve been in there a few times. Even if you are Haram Lee, there’s no guarantee of surviving that place. Are you going to delete your memories because you can’t bear it?”

Yeah, I know well enough.

There is a chasm of difference between the hole’s vicinity and beyond it.

Among the few who can return, I understand the terror contained within well.

Even so.

“Do you think I wouldn’t know? It’s a place I absolutely don’t want to go. But, you see… Sigh.

Just recalling that place brought forth the fear, and I swallowed hard.

“Something in there called for me, so I have to go.”

“…Who called you?”

Perhaps due to my mouth opening with fear, the being before me transformed.

Like when we first met.

Without humanity, devoid of any playfulness.

Exuding pure murderous intent, it loathed and despised everything— the blue monster.

It hated humans, but even more so detested the otherworld.

Normally, it hides behind the mask of persona, but when its true nature reveals itself, that perception strikes those around with a very physical force.

Like telepathy possessing physical power.

“Why? Are you going to tell me if I ask?”

Of course, it means nothing to me, but being pressured by this energy, I too have my history.

With my legs crossed on the table, I’ve got my hammer cocked, and it seemed we were both sizing each other up.

“Can I be honest?”

Finally, the octopus opened its wet mouth.

“Go ahead.”

“I’m thinking about how to annihilate you, Haram Lee.”

“Well, that’s a unique statement. What prompted you to say that?”

… “I really like Earth.”

What a sudden confession.

“Yes, I know this doesn’t suit me either, Haram Lee. But to be honest, I really like Earth. However, I loathe humans and the other races that cling to it. But I can tolerate them because they are the pillars that support the current Earth.”

The sudden coming out may be absurd…

“What does that have to do with wanting me dead?”

“Because, Haram Lee, if you meet what you are about to, the balance might collapse.”

What on earth are you talking about?

“Yes, yes. Don’t bother asking any questions. I’ll explain it all. It’s evident on your face that you don’t understand.”

Grin.

The tentacles of the octopus scattered wide, and its brow twisted severely.

It must be laughing at me.

“I haven’t heard what kind of entity it is yet, but did that being truly call for you, Haram Lee?”

“Yeah.”

“Did they not decide to come on their own, but rather you were called by Haram Lee?”

“That’s right.”

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

That kind of laughter echoed.

Even I, who’ve had my dealings with this thing, heard Al’sel’s laugh for the first time.

“Do you understand what that means? No, you’re saying that because you don’t know. That’s a proposal that could bring about the destruction of Earth.”

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Amidst the ongoing laughter, Al’sel’s tale continued.

“In the vast otherworld where one cannot find a destination, to single someone out and convey a message. Moreover, to be strong enough to not cross the hole. Calling someone means there is only one thing I know.”

Ha ha ha ha ha.

The laughter deepened.

Filling the room.

Cha ching.

“Oh, it seems you wouldn’t understand if I said pillars. You are the 0-Rank, right? In such an existence, to shove yourself in and descend. Unlike the garbage bursting out of Nanjido, a true embodiment.”

“Then let me ask again. Who called you?”

… “The Queen of the Magical Kingdom.”

Haram Lee.

“I don’t quite know, but is she the leader of those Magical Girls?”

“Oh, then at the very least, it seems she’s not a madman asking for someone without even identifying their location. From the state of those Magical Girls, it seems they have no intention of doing anything to Earth.”

Could it be that the long Q&A has finally come to an end?

Al’sel ceased shedding its skin and began to put its persona back on.

The room regained its tranquility.

After countless questions, I prepared to speak to break the silence.

“…is that queen someone you can trust?”

“Hm? Trust? There’s no way one can trust such a being. However, looking at what they’re doing, they’re probably better than that damn back-end faction. Watching as they send their items while incurring losses, it suggests they at least don’t plan to do anything to Earth at the moment. However…”

Grin.

With another twisted smile, Al’sel opened its mouth to give a warning.

“Don’t trust them too much. Those who have settled in the otherworld are all fickle, profit-seeking, and fundamentally flawed beings.”

“Just like you.”

“Well, I can’t argue with that.”

Ha ha!

Was it because we exchanged banter? The room, which had seemed unreal just moments ago, felt like it had returned to its original state.

“The coffee has completely gone cold. The conversation has dragged on too long.”

Before my eyes, Al’sel began to drink coffee normally.

When the cup was tilted slightly and nearly tipped,

The octopus made a bizarre sound as it realized the value of the drink and set its coffee cup down.

“By the way, I haven’t asked this yet. Haram Lee, why did you come to find me?”

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s about entering the hole, shouldn’t Queph or Seini know more than I do? When we went into the Association, wasn’t Seini the one guiding us?”

Seini.

Yeah, it was because of him that the operation was successful.

But this situation is different from that time.

“When I was with Seini, I heard…”

“Oh? What did you hear?”

“That fixing spaces in the otherworld is Seini’s specialty, but… Al’sel has lived by crossing realms for a long time without such a technique.”

It seems Al’sel is such an anomalous existence.

Existing without a part in the story, traversing worlds, not drifting by chance, but living with a purpose.

“Hmm. That seems to be the case. While Seini can maintain space, they can’t send anyone to a specific realm.”

“Yeah. So, that’s why I came to find you. Can you help me?”

Upon my agreement, a question arose.

Rattle.

With a dull sound, the table shook.

“Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of going after hearing my words?”

The source of the sound was Al’sel, startled and spilling its coffee cup.

“Yeah. If it’s the Queen of the Magical Kingdom, you must know the value of that. According to you, at least she doesn’t seem like an enemy.”

“Earth is one thing, but life could be at risk.”

“When have I ever held back due to the risk to my life?”

… “Well, I guess I made myself look foolish trying to persuade you suddenly.”

“Right? So let’s talk about information.”

“Anyhow, even without me telling you, you’d find out somehow.”

Well, that’s true.

Somehow, they’d probably go about torturing others to uncover the method. Ultimately, it’s just a matter of time.

“Ugh. I can’t help it though. On one condition.”

Perhaps because it knows me well, Al’sel sighed and raised a finger.

“I’d like you to bring me a reality stabilizer of the level I proposed.”

That was a simple condition.

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